Arjun Srinivas: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed in the United States on September 10, 2020 Verified Purchase
An excellent and gentle introduction into spiritual principles that intelligently juxtaposes direct lines from the Upanishads with those from the Bible to establish essential points. As a new student of spirituality, I most appreciated the approachability of the book – it is a fun and unpretentious read with a plethora of stories/anecdotes that effectively (and sometimes humorously) convey deep spiritual principles. Hebsoor writes like a wise friend introducing you to important concepts and novel ideas over a cup of cocoa, and the result is a digestible and engaging spiritual adventure. The book succeeds in teaching both the broader philosophy of spirituality as well as the nuances of the specific text it dissects -the frameworks are very clearly established and the reader is never left in doubt what is going on or what the author is trying to say. And the spiritual parallels and arguments the book makes are ultimately strong, novel, and insightful. Anyone and everyone will take away something from this book – whether you are a well-versed practitioner looking to reconcile some of the trickier verses or brand new to Hinduism/spirituality, you will walk away with a deeper and more insightful understanding of the text and spirituality as a whole. I could not recommend this book more and am very grateful it was written 🙂
A brave inquiry of spiritual principles
Reviewed in the United States on June 9, 2020 Verified Purchase
I am an individual with an eclectic view of spirituality and religion. I have studied many philosophical and spiritual books in my time, and this was my first foray into the teachings of Vedanta.
The book starts simply enough, enticing the reader to keep an open mind about these traditions we hold so dearly. K.K Hebsoor promises that, with this attitude, both Christian and Hindu passages complement each other well, and together speak to a more ultimate view of the spirit. I found that to be the case as presented in the remainder of the chapters. In his explanations of the sayings of Christ, the provided Hindu explanations and quotations drive his point home. I appreciate that he takes a scholarly approach when necessary, and fills in the blanks with his personal findings where appropriate.
Over-all, I found this book thoroughly though-provoking and engaging, and recommend it to all on the spiritual path.. whatever foundation they generally build from.
_________
Reviewed in India on 11 June 2020 Verified Purchase
A remarkable first attempt at writing a book on spirituality! The author has brought invaluable insight into Jesus’s sayings from a spiritual perspective. By drawing parallels from the Hindu scriptures, he makes it is easy for the reader to notice how the great seers from millennia spoke the same language. The book was engrossing since after every chapter I was eager to read the next comparison the author was going to make!
The author writes with a genuineness but also eloquently. The anecdotes he quotes to reinforce the elaboration of the parallels he draws between the Bible’s hard saying and the Hindu scriptures are very refreshing and relevant at the same time. At first I was wondering if I should read this book since I thought I am not so spiritually inclined. But the truth is we all are. And as the author suggests, we should all read the original scriptures irrespective of whichever Faiths we come from. Only then will our spirit respond little by little at a time, just like peeling an onion, to reveal our true spiritual being.
In my view, it is a must read book for anyone who wants to have a fresh, spiritual understanding of Jesus’s sayings bereft of the dogmatic meaning usually attached to it by the church. And also for the Hindu reader to get a tiny glimpse of the richness of their scriptures, the Upanishads and its universality.
